March 20, 2016 -- The Sea Cliff Republican Club honored Village Trustee Edward Lieberman with the Isabel R. Dodd Award at a ceremony held at the Swan Club in Roslyn Harbor on March 16th. The prestigious award is presented annually to an individual who has performed great service to the community.

The event was organized by Colin Bell, President of the Sea Cliff Republican Club, and John Laruccia, the group's Committee Chairman and a former president. Those in attendance included Mr. Lieberman's family and friends, Sea Cliff Village Board Trustees and other officials, as well as representatives of local businesses and community organizations.

“Ed is an extraordinary Sea Cliffian and dedicated public servant,” said John Canning, Executive Leader of the Sea Cliff Republican Committee. “He is everywhere in our Sea Cliff square mile."

“He might be chatting with residents at Memorial Park, enjoying music at Sea Cliff Beach, or spearheading a Village project such as Lincoln Plaza, his beloved brainchild."

Mr. Canning continued, "In Lincoln Plaza a sign says 'I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him." And then addressing Mr. Lieberman, "you are proud of Sea Cliff, and as you can see this evening, Sea Cliff is proud of you."

Prior to his election to the Village Board, Mr. Lieberman’s served on the Sea Cliff Beach Committee, the Sea Cliff Planning Board, the Environmental Conservation Commission and the Assessment Review Board.

As a leader in the Lions International, he served as President of the Sea Cliff-Glen Head Lions Club from 2003 to 2010, and was elected to the Lions International office of District Governor (Nassau County and Bermuda) and in 2011 was elected to the position of Council Chair. Currently Mr. Lieberman serves as the District Chairperson of Lions Club International’s 2017 Centennial celebration.

Several Committee members and friends of Mr. Lieberman spoke on Wednesday.

“I could speak all night long about all the things he does,” said Kevin McGilloway, who has served with Mr. Lieberman on the Sea Cliff Village Board for the past two years and offered a toast to the guest of honor.

Al Brandel, who along with Mr. Lieberman organized the Sea Cliff Glen Head Lions Club in 1982 explained that Mr. Leiberman very effectively connected the work of community organizations with that of local government. "Thank you for being that person that covers both aspects - both civic and governmental, because together they can get things done," he said.

Reverend Kirtland Watkins of the Sea Cliff Methodist Church, who offered the benediction for the event, described "Mr. Lieberman as a friend and a leader - one who goes beyond himself." Mr. Lieberman, the first registered independent to receive the honor, was clearly moved by the recognition. He said that public service is a non partisan endeavor and spoke of its value to the community as well as the personal satisfaction he has gotten through his involvement in the Lions and serving on the Village Board.

"When you get to help people, it's a great feeling," he said.

Cantor Talya Smiliwitz of L'Dor V'Dor Congregation in Brookville closed the evening with a moving rendition of God Bless America.

The Isabel R. Dodd award is named in honor of a pioneering woman in the Nassau County politics who was Sea Cliff’s Committeeman for about 20 years until she passed away in 1987 - one of the first women to hold such an office in Nassau County. Ms. Dodd also served as the Town Clerk of the Town of Oyster Bay during the early 1970s and the Republican Commissioner of Elections until 1987.